Bridgemaster V Concrete Mixers that utilize a Hendrickson Trailer Axle are being recalled by McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing because of a potential issue with the square axle cross tube.  978 of these vehicles could suffer from an issue wherein tightening between the axle and the fender isn’t sufficient to ensuring safe usage.  A crack or outright failure of the mounting bracket could thus lead to the fender falling off the vehicle and into the road, compromising the safety of those automobiles trailing the mixer.  Owners should hear from the company once the recall starts at the beginning of next month.  Free repairs will be carried out by mechanics as needed.

For more about the recall, follow this link.

Various types of dry pet foods for dogs, cats, and ferrets are being recalled by Natura Pet Products because of a possible Salmonella contamination.  An illness could impact the animals themselves or even those pet owners who make contact with the food.  The recall pertains to Healthwise, Karma, California Natural, EVO, Innova Dry, and Mother Nature branded products that expire prior to June 10 of next year.  Consumers should check the full recall notice for the specific types of food affected.  Owners should be on the lookout for pet lethargy and refrain from providing the food to their pets or even handling the product.  Instead, the food should be disposed of in a safe manner.

Click here for more about the recall.

Honda S2000 automobiles of the 2006 and 2007 model years and Acura RSX automobiles of the 2006 model year have been recalled by Honda because of an issue with the brake booster.  On around 18,352 of these vehicles, there’s a chance that the aforementioned component can’t create a vacuum when the driver presses the brakes.  Thus, a driver is going to be have to press down harder due to the lack of assistance from the brake system, potentially creating a longer stopping distance and posing a crash threat.  On July 12, the recall will start, and owners will begin receiving notification from Honda.  An inspection and brake booster replacement will be conducted at no cost.

Click here for more about the recall.

Apparently Chrysler isn’t the only company recalling products under the Jeep Liberty brand.  The Chicago, Illinois-based Kolcraft Enterprises has announced the recall of Jeep Liberty strollers with model numbers ranging from JL031 to JL036.  96,000 of the strollers were sold across the country (and 510 in Canada) at a variety of retailers between June 2010 and this month.  The tires on these strollers have inner tubes that are in danger of rupturing, creating a fracture that poses a projectile hazard.  39 incidents have come to the fore at the moment, with 18 of those reportedly leading to injury (two kids and 16 adults).   Some injuries occurred while the tire was being filled.  The strollers should not be used until new wheels can be obtained from the company.

For more about the recall, follow this link.

Not long ago, Chrysler opted not to comply with a voluntary recall request from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, arguing that they disagreed with findings which suggested Jeep Libertys of the 2002 to 2007 model years and Grand Cherokees of the 1993 to 2004 model years suffered from a safety defect.  The NHTSA gave them a deadline to comply, however, and with the deadline looming, Chrysler changed its mind and decided to issue a recall.  The worry was that the vehicles could be privy to a fire during a rear end collision due to gas tank design and placement.  To correct the issue, Chrysler will install a factory trailer hitch if need be, which doesn’t go quite as far as the protective steel plate installation suggested by the Center for Auto Safety.

For more about this development, follow this link.

The Pico Rivera, California-based BeBeLove has announced the recall of 5,600 E-Zee Bath Seats for kids ranging from five to ten months in age.  These items reportedly fail to meet the stability standards put in place at the federal level, and as a result, tipping is a possibility.  Without proper adult supervision, this could create a drowning hazard.  Thankfully, no instances of such have been reported at this time.  Available online from such outlets as Amazon, Overstock, and more between May 2011 and this past November, the products should not be used.  Instead, parents ought to get in touch with BeBeLove to learn about how to return or discard the item and get their money back.

For more about the recall, click here.

Water safety of all sorts is encouraged in a new report, and the tips should be understood by parents and indeed all citizens of California, especially the advice pertaining to beaches.  When headed to the beach, understand the common meanings of beach flags as explained by the National Weather Service.  Yellow or single red means you ought to use caution due to the heightened surf, while a double red flag signifies that you shouldn’t be on the beach at all.  One thing in particular you’ll want to look out for on the beach is a rip current, which has the potential to pull even expert swimmers out to sea.  Look out for channels of water and lines of debris headed away from shore, and if you’re ever caught up in a rip current, swim perpendicular to the current until you get out.

For more safety tips, click here.

A new report out of King County, Washington details the increased danger of distracted driving among teens during summer months.  The Washington Traffic Safety Commission explains that graduations and other summer events contribute to circumstances which can prove dangerous for teens.  Teenagers themselves have admitted that cellphones can often be too tempting to ignore, making distraction one of the many situations that have led automobile accidents to become the leading cause of death among teens across the country.  Officers in Washington ask parents to set a good example by putting the phone down when behind the wheel.  And for their part, the Target Zero Taskforce of King County will be out in full force cracking down on cellphone usage during summer months.

For more information, follow this link.

The Bentonville, Arkansas-based Sam’s West has announced the recall of six piece and four piece outdoor seating groups under the Metro and Montero brands, respectively.  Although no injurious incidents have been reported at this time in association with the 6,200 furniture sets, the concern is that the chairs’ swivel bases are in danger of breaking.  This can create a fall threat that could cause an injury.  The furniture was sold this past March and April at Sam’s Club stores across the country.  Instead of using the sets, owners should get in touch with Sam’s to obtain a refund and a pick-up of the affected furniture.

Click here for more about the recall.

The Food and Drug Administration is offering guidance to medical device manufacturers whose products might be susceptible to infiltration by cyber criminals.  The FDA worries that the onboard computer systems of many devices could be breached, and because such items are typically connected to hospitals, smartphones, and more, the threat could extend beyond even a single device.  To counteract this danger, which the FDA takes pains to state has not to their knowledge prompted a fatality or an injury, hospitals and overseers are being advised to update security software as needed.  Unauthorized usage should be monitored and cracked down on.  Communication between device makers and hospitals is also encouraged so that problems can be reported and corrected immediately.

Follow this link for more about the perceived danger.

A new report featured in the Los Angeles Times details the experiences of a group of bus drivers who were allegedly made ill because of the pesticides sprayed inside their buses.  14 drivers in the Los Angeles County area have already sought workers’ compensation from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.  Buses typically receive chemical treatment as a means to get rid of the insects that are attracted by passengers’ various food leavings.  But since 2011, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health has received complaints from three drivers who claim to have suffered from nausea, skin irritation, and breathing problems.  The Bus Riders Union worries that passengers may be getting ill from this insect treatment as well.

For more information, follow this link.

A researcher from the Motor Industry Research Association recently voiced his thoughts on the proliferation of automobile apps in the marketplace and their impact on distracted driving.  A supporter of the recent anti-distracted driving guidelines issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the doctor reasoned that apps which help get us to our destination or monitor our fuel economy are also creating information overload that has the potential to reduce driving ability.  He urges the United Kingdom to consider enacting voluntary guidelines similar to what the NHTSA has offered, saying that things like scrolling text, the internet, and social media should be placed out of a driver’s sight in a vehicle cabin.  He would also like to see maximum sound requirements put in place.

Click here for more information.

Ram 5500 and 4500 trucks of the 2012 model year are being recalled by Chrysler because the front axle carriers on the vehicles may suffer from a potential defect in the welding process.  On 5,617 of these automobiles, a fracture can occur in the front drive shaft, leading to surrounding component damage should spinning continue and a loss of power even if spinning stops.  Either incident could prompt a crash, and thus a recall is being issued this July to take care of the problem.  Owners should hear from Chrysler at that time.  They’ll be able to bring their trucks in to get a free repair or replacement of the affected components.

Click here for more about the recall.

The Lake Mills, Wisconsin-based OSKRI Corporation has announced the recall of various dark chocolate candies because of a potential undeclared allergen threat posed.  Persons allergic to milk might face a severe reaction if they consume the affected Fig Dark Chocolate Bars, Almond Dark Chocolate Bars, Coconut Bar Dark Chocolate, and Coconut Bar Dark Chocolate Minis.  The items were available across the country and will be 1.9 ounces in size and have a Lot Number ranging from 001 to 154.  No one has reported becoming ill at this point, and to ensure that continues, concerned parties ought to arrange for a return of the item for a refund.

For more about the recall, follow this link.

Runway P235/60 R16 Enduro 816 tires are being recalled by the GITI Tire Company because of an issue that could compromise driver control.  Produced in the second week of this year, the 218 tires affected by the recall could have a problem with their mold which allows splitting to occur in the shoulder.  As a result, the tires may emanate air rapidly while in transit, an issue that could cause an outright failure that poses a crash hazard.  There has been no indication at this time as to when the recall is going to start, but once it does, tire owners can expect to hear from GITI.  A free replacement of the tires should be conducted by dealers at no cost to owners.

Follow this link for more about the recall.

Consumer Reports has released a guide to those motorcycles and scooters of the 2013 model year that are equipped with antilock brake systems.  As the report states, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has estimated that this technology could reduce fatal motorcycle injuries by a rate of 37%.  At the moment, ABS isn’t standard, but that will change in 2016 when mandatory rules come into effect.  However, you can consult the guide to determine what ABS model suits your riding style.  The system tends to be more common nowadays with larger motorcycles, but unfortunately, the smaller vehicles favored by many new riders still tend to be lacking ABS.

For the full guide, click here.

A new article explains the process of getting a recall fixed by a dealership.  Prompted by a reader question, the report attempts to lay out how to protect yourself financially when you attempt to obtain recall repairs.  When a recall is issued, you absolutely should not be required to pay for those repairs, even if the initial fix didn’t work.  When a dealer quotes you a price, it could be because they want to find out if an issue with your vehicle stems from something other than a defect.  In such instances, you’ll want to make sure that they’re not going to charge you the quote if it turns out that in fact the recall issue is to blame.

Follow this link for more information.

Six states are teaming up for an anti-distracted driving effort next week that has been aptly named the Six-State Trooper Project.  Highway patrol officers from Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and presumably one other state will be on the lookout for road actions that could be indicative of a distraction at the wheel.  Ohio in particular will deploy its air unit to look out for inappropriate lane crossings, aggression, tailgating, and other behaviors that suggest the driver’s focus isn’t completely on their environment.  The crackdown will pertain not just to cellphone violations but to other types of offenses such as eating or personal grooming.

For more about this effort, follow this link.

Sport Protein and ONE Bars of various flavors under the Vega brand are being recalled by Sequel Naturals because of an undeclared allergen threat.  Available across the country, the bars might contain milk without the label declaring as much.  Persons allergic to the substance could face a serious reaction that could even be fatal under the right circumstances.  One person has already reported suffering a reaction in conjunction with the bars, and allergic parties are being encouraged to get in touch with Vega to get their money back.  The company has announced its intention to alter the label to more clearly delineate the potential presence of milk; at the moment, the label only stipulates that the bars may have been made in an area where various allergens are present.

For more about the recall, click here.

The state of Florida is getting tough on distracted commercial drivers.  Earlier this week, the Governor signed a Highway Safety Bill that makes it illegal for bus drivers, truckers, and other commercial vehicle operators to use a handheld cellphone to talk or text.  Hands-free devices will still be allowed.  In addition to issuing a whopping $500 citation to the drivers responsible for the transgression, fleet operators would also be susceptible to a $2,750 ticket.  That latter number could increase to $11,000 if a driver is ticketed three times.  The Department of Transportation and the Florida Truckers Association back the measure, which brings Florida in line with federal guidelines for commercial driving.

For more about the measure, follow this link.